DIY Projects

Bicycle-powered blueberry winnower

Bicycle-powered blueberry winnower

P74325 Excellent tale from the “Make” – If the field wasn’t so remote, Waldo County residents would have been treated to an unusual sight in September: Blueberry rakers merrily pedaling old bicycles that powered even-older machines used to clean the fruit. Like many good ideas, Shana Hanson’s bicycle-powered blueberry winnowers had their roots in calamity… Hanson borrowed two bicycles that were already mounted on homemade wooden frames. She removed the tires from the back wheels, and covered the inside of the rims with duct tape. Then she attached drive belts that linked the wheels to pulleys on the winnowers. It was an instant success. Link.

Holy Shelf Unit, Batman!

Holy Shelf Unit, Batman!

Shelfunit 007A
Here’s GREAT Maker project – Simon wanted to expand his bookcase, but there was a door on the same wall, solution: make a book case that covers the door and when you pull the super-sekret Sherlock Holmes book, the door opens! The site has before and after pictures as well as a little HOW-TO action on his method of door propulsion. Link.

Lindsay’s Technical Books

Lindsay’s Technical Books

Vign I’ve pointed folks at the Linsay books as a great resource for a long time “Books for curious people – Highest quality books, new and old, for experimenters, inventors, tinkerers, mad scientists, and a very few normal people…” A Maker writes “The books cover the spectrum of DIY- machining, mechanics, electronics, wood working, cooking, and everything in between. The books range from excerpts of old technical manuals to new publications. There’s even a big mention of Make Magazine in there!” [via] Link.

Make an acorn whistle…

Make an acorn whistle…

Acorn Dave writes “I came across this site while looking for crafts to do with all the acorns my 5 year old son collected at school and filled his pockets with. In true junior maker fashion he saw the acorns and knew there was *something* we could do with them. The acorn whistle on this page takes some practice but really is quite loud once you get the hang of it.” Link.